After an eerily easy 11 hour bus journey from Bangkok to Chiang Mai it was time to dump the bags at the guesthouse and explore the place. First impression were lasting. This town is gorgeous. Its got this really earthy feel mixed with a funky/chilled vibe. Lots of alternate bars and cafes, great for vege's and food lovers. Chiang mai also reminds me of Rome... well lets not get carried away.... BUT it is this eclectic, modern, country town built around ruins from the 13th century! Its awesome. We have spend the last few lazy afternoons meandering around 'old' Chiang Mai, getting lost in ancient streets, finding quirky cafes and sipping cocktails on random cocktail carts!

But it hasn't all been rest without play here! The reason we came here was to secure these damned chinese visas! Tip of the day - if you want to go to China by land or even if you want to escape the Bangkok Chinese Embassy s*** storm, Chaing Mai is the place!!! With the embassy 10mins walk from the hostel it was so simple to get there. The guards greet you with friendly faces and the huge queue of 4 people ends quite quickly ;) No more than 5 minutes after arrival we were back out the front gates with china visa applications SUBMITTED!! fingers crossed!

After a big vegetarian breakfast (70baht; $2.30aud), we hired a bike and set off up the mountain of Doi Suthep. Nice to be back on a bike. The weather cleared for us and we got a glimps of the beauty of Chiang Mai from 1676m. When we made it down the mountain we realised we had purchased handmade beanies, were sunburnt and addicted to the bike. So off we go anywhere and everywhere. Whenever we caught a glimps of a shy alleyway we followed it, whenever we saw a glimps of a canal we stalked it. Intrigue and wonder had erupted leading us to the most beautiful districs and villages! Gotta do it!

The next day it was serious adventure day! Plan of attack was Doi Inthanon (2565m; the heighest mountain in Thailand). Local transport time :) With a little/vague/out of date lonely planet guidence we managed to find a sawngthaew (ute transport) to Chom Thong (1.5 hrs ; 32baht/$1.1aud). From there it was motorbike up to the Do Inthanon mountain entrance gates (15min ; 50baht/$1.60aud). From here we rufused to pay the (1100baht/$34aud) for an aircon van for only 2 people, ignored the entrance ticket ladies bewildered smirk and walked into the park knowing there was a 44km climb to the top. What the snobby ticket lady hadn't factored in was us 2 irresistable girls, the generous hospitality of Thai people and the sheer determination we had to hitch our way up this mountain! Soon enough we are in the back of a ute on the way up sharing the small space with 2 thai girls. The higher we got, the cooler it got and the wetter we got. It was bucketing down. Dressed in shorts and singlets we were not prepared at all. Thanks to the flimsy yellow umbrella the girls lent us we managed to huddle together in the corner shivering and laughing and the hilarious situation we had got ourselves into :). At the summit it was 10m visability due to the clouds, so no view but this didnt spolit the day in the slightest. The journey was incredible.. unforgettable... and the fact we got to the top was a bonus. Quickly to be picked up by 3 Thai dudes on the way back down, the thought of hitch hiking more often is enticing. Hmmm china???

New travel strategy: Scheme, plot, lengthen and ENJOY the journey. The destination is a mere bonus.

Today has been a lazy day. Tomorrow it's back to the chinese embassy and if all goes well its on a bus north to chiang Saen. Chiang Saen is where the cargo boat leaves into the golden triangle, bound for China! Fingers crossed we leave on Wednesday the 13th of June!!!

NW:

Chada Guesthouse is really good value.. 150Baht pp/per night for a double room. awesome location in the old city and its really chilled!

Chiang Mai Memories: drinking cocktails from a wagon... becks bedside pigsty... granny throwing her spew bag out the window of the van... ginny's cafe for vege breakfasts... crazy dude flashing in the street BEFORE breakfast... pushy tour agent